LA County allows front yard vegetable and food gardens in unincorporated areas. California AB 2561 (2022) prohibits local governments from banning front yard food gardens. The county's drought-tolerant landscaping incentives further encourage replacing ornamental lawns with productive gardens.
Under California Assembly Bill 2561, signed into law in 2022, no city or county in California may prohibit personal agriculture (including vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and herb gardens) in residential front yards. In unincorporated LA County, front yard gardens are allowed provided they comply with the general property maintenance standards of Title 22 (maintained in good condition, no safety hazards, not obstructing public rights-of-way). The county's water conservation programs actively encourage replacing turf with drought-tolerant landscaping, which can include food gardens. Front yard gardens must still comply with fence and wall height restrictions (6 feet in side/rear yards, 42 inches in front setback areas) and may not obstruct sight triangles at intersections. Community gardens are supported through the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation.
No penalties for growing front yard food gardens. However, property maintenance violations (overgrown or abandoned gardens creating blight) may be cited under Title 22.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how Santa Monica's front yard gardens rules stack up against other locations.
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